SGPC to settle Sikh identity issues abroad

Having incorporated itself in the US, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will work towards resolving Sikh identity issues in that country and in other western nations, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said Friday.

With attacks occurring on Sikhs in the United States and other countries in recent years, the SGPC wants to clear the misunderstanding in the minds of people regarding the appearance and identity of Sikhs, Makkar said at a function of the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle (GGSSC) in Ludhiana, 110 km from here.

The attacks, coming mostly after the September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, have targetted Sikhs, as their appearance is confused with that of people from the Middle East.

Makkar said the SGPC has been allotted over 13 acres in USA's Yuba City to conduct its activities in America and Europe.

"We have got 13.08 acres of land in Yuba City, USA, and have got SGPC incorporated in America. This will help us in resolving the Sikh identity issue in a better way. There have been many attacks against Sikh residents in the US due to misconception about appearance and identity of Sikhs," Makkar said.

"The office in USA will take up the issue as a mission, and from there, all activities in this regard will be conducted. We will also cover Europe from the US office," he said.

Punjab is home to a majority Sikh population. The religion, founded in the 15th century, is one of the youngest religions in the world. A large number of Sikhs from Punjab are settled in the United States, Canada, Britain and other western countries.